Reese's 2nd Grade Science Fair Project

This year Reese chose to participate in the Science Fair at school.  Based on your grade, you are assigned a type of project to complete and 2nd grade was given models this year.  Reese did a model of the brain and explained how the 5 senses work using a sponge for the brain and pieces of a Mr. Potato Head toy for the body parts that are a part of each of the senses.  It turned out great and she learned how the brain processes the things we sense and sends messages that we understand as the 5 senses.  So cool!

Thanksgiving Break

I love that my kids get the entire week of Thanksgiving off as their fall break at school.  This year we were able to spend time with family and had the added bonus of a youth retreat with church friends.



Cousin Time at Nana's!

 Just some of the food from our Thanksgiving lunch

 paintball time at the retreat

 downtime at the house making domino castles

 some bike time on the Trinity Trail

 Pre-lunch Thanksgiving 5k finishers!

 archery at the youth retreat



Rock N Roll San Antonio

Pics and race report here:

http://trisara.blogspot.com/2011/11/rock-n-roll-san-antonio.html

State Fair of Texas 2011

What a fun tradition!  We have had a cousin day at the fair every year (I think with only one exception) for 10 years!  We take the same pictures in the same places and nearly every year have a new addition to the picture, growing from Soren and Wyatt to 8 sweet cousins.

Pumpkin Carving

Another fun NJE tradition is pumpkin carving.  Each year hundreds of pumpkins are donated and the kids at NJE carve them and then they are lit and put on display in our neighborhood along a brick wall near the pool.  We enjoy free hot chocolate, candy and socializing while we browse the line of pumpkin art.  It is pretty impressive what these kids can do with a pumpkin!  This year Reese teamed up with two friends and they did an owl (the school mascot).  It turned out great!

So Beautiful

Just had to post this picture of Soren dressed up for a casual dance at school.  Beautiful and sweet.  Love this girl!

My Cross Country District Champion!!

She did it!  Soren won first overall girl for 7th AND 8th grade at the district cross country meet!  Wow!!  Her 2 mile time was 12:24 on the Crowley course.  She helped the Joshua girls win 2nd place team at the meet.  Soren is becoming a regular part of the weekly Joshua paper, earning a spot in the sports section, with pictures, weekly!   It was a short season and Soren is excited for track in the spring.  She will do some swimming and running during off season to stay in shape for the upcoming track season.  Congratulations, Soren!!